Some new Google Home Speakers are downloading huge amounts of data in the background, even when nobody is using them. If your home internet plan has a data cap, check your router’s per-device usage now. Google told 9to5Google that “a fix is already rolling out that should address this for users.”
How much data the Google Home Speaker is using
9to5Google’s Abner Li measured an unused Home Speaker that consumed 17 GB in 24 hours. Of that, 9.99 GB arrived at 3 a.m. PT. On October 13, the same speaker downloaded 41 GB. Its total over the past 30 days came to 132 GB.
A second, lightly used Home Speaker in a different household downloaded only 2 GB in a month. 9to5Google says it isn’t seeing the problem on other Google Home or Nest devices. That includes several Nest Hubs in the same house as the affected speaker.
User reports go much higher, though these are unverified screenshots relayed by outlets. The Verge cites one Redditor whose device was using more than 200GB per day. Android Authority relays reports of nearly 140GB downloaded overnight. Other users there describe three speakers using around 280GB, and screenshots show over 3TB in 30 days.
As 9to5Google points out, several Home Speakers on a limited plan could easily push you past your cap. Some owners have already found that out.
What’s causing the Home Speaker data drain?
Google hadn’t shared a cause as of publication, but both 9to5Google and The Verge suspect firmware. 9to5Google says the timing suggests failed attempts to download device firmware. The Verge says the speakers may be failing to correctly download and install a firmware update.
Most reports involve the new Home Speaker model. The Verge has asked Google for the cause and a list of affected devices. Its colleague Tom Warren’s speaker isn’t affected.
Google’s Nest firmware page still lists the Google Home Speaker (2026) at version 3.78.538897, with release notes dated June 15, 2026. It hadn’t listed a newer Home Speaker version as of publication.
That leaves owners in an awkward spot. The bug runs silently and only shows up in router stats. There’s also no new version number yet to confirm the fix has reached your speaker. Google hasn’t said whether it will help owners who were hit with overage charges.
How to check your speaker’s data usage
Most routers show how much data each connected device uses. If you have Nest Wifi, you can check from the Google Home app:
- Open the Google Home app and go to the Wifi tab.
- Tap Devices and select your Home Speaker.
- Look at the Device usage graphs, which offer 1-day, 7-day and 30-day views.
With any other router, look for per-device traffic in your router’s app or admin page. Compare the speaker’s numbers against the figures above to see whether yours is affected.
For other recent changes to the platform, see our coverage of the Google Home update with nearly 20 fixes for Gemini, cameras and setup.
Sources: 9to5Google, The Verge, Android Authority, Google Nest Help
